From Mohamad Tarmize Abdul Manaf
Anti-corruption education stands as a cornerstone in the fight against corruption, making it imperative to instill values of integrity and abhorrence towards corruption from a young age.
This crucial effort should not merely be confined to schools but must extend to higher learning institutions, as graduates are the future leaders who will shape the destiny of our nation.
It is hoped that efforts to provide effective, comprehensive, and ongoing anti-corruption education to young people can create a culture of integrity and accountability, free from the grip of corruption.
Recognising this imperative, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, the education ministry and the higher education ministry have taken significant strides in promoting anti-corruption education to foster a culture of integrity among the youth.
Integrity-based personnel preparation
The first initiative involves the introduction of the Integrity and Anti-Corruption Course (KIAR) in higher learning institutions.
Originating as a pilot project at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in February 2018, KIAR has since expanded to other universities including Kolej Universiti Islam Melaka (2019), Universiti Putra Malaysia (2020) and several campuses of Universiti Kuala Lumpur (2021).
On April 19, 2021, the Special Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corruption chaired by the prime minister agreed that KIAR was to be offered in all higher learning institutions (certificate, diploma and bachelor levels) as an elective subject in 2021, and then as a compulsory course starting in 2023.
Most recently, on May 20, 2024, the government agreed for KIAR to be implemented in all technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions. For the record, there are 1,345 TVET institutions in Malaysia, which are placed under 12 ministries.
Empowering students through the Anti-Corruption Student Force
The second initiative focuses on the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Student Force (Amar) in higher learning institutions. Amar is a student club that was initially known as the Anti-Corruption Secretariat.
Amar has proliferated to encompass 117 chapters nationwide, organising impactful activities such as the ‘Walk Stop Talk: Six Hours Quarter Million Messages’, which garnered 212,919 signatures in just six hours.
This programme has also been recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records in 2018.
Additionally, Amar conducts anti-corruption student conventions and various competitions, including debates, short videos, and poster design, to promote intolerance towards corruption.
Cultivating a culture of integrity in schools
The third initiative involves integrating anti-corruption elements into school textbooks, providing early exposure to the significance of integrity and perils of corruption.
These elements have been incorporated into various subjects across different academic levels, ensuring that students are well-acquainted with the principles of integrity from a young age.
To date, textbooks that have anti-corruption elements are in Moral Education Standard 3, Malay Language Standard 4, Malay Language Standard 5, Moral Education (Malay) Standard 6, Moral Education (Chinese) Standard 6, Moral Education (Tamil) Standard 6, Islamic Teaching Standard 6, Moral Education Form 1, and Moral Education Form 2.
Anti-corruption elements are also included in the Civic Education Exemplar Module: Primary and Secondary Schools.
Instilling anti-corruption values through the Anti-Corruption Warriors programme
The fourth initiative focuses on the Anti-Corruption Warriors (WAR) programme, designed to instill a strong aversion towards corruption among primary and secondary school students.
Conducted in collaboration with teachers and parents, the programme emphasises values such as honesty, trust, and respect for others’ rights.
To date, the WAR programme has reached 174 schools nationwide, engaging thousands of students and teachers through various activities and competitions. In 2020 and 2021, due to the pandemic, MACC and the education ministry collaborated to organise various online WAR competitions for school students.
Practical application of integrity with the Honest Shop project
The fifth initiative introduces the Honest Shop/Kiosk Project (Kedai Jujur) in schools, encouraging students to practise honesty and integrity in a tangible manner.
By allowing students to purchase items from the shop and make payments independently without being monitored, this project reinforces values of honesty, trust, and respect for others’ rights.
The successful implementation of the Honest Shop project in schools underscored the effectiveness of practical initiatives in fostering a corruption-free environment.
Starting from five schools in Putrajaya in 2020, an additional 20 schools had set up such shops the following year.
In October 2023, the Sabah chief minister launched Honest Shops in 20 schools in Sabah. It was a joint effort by Petra Energy Berhad, the Sabah MACC, and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Association (Pakar).
Moving forward, strengthening initiatives
The journey towards building a corruption-free nation demands a sustained commitment to instilling integrity and anti-corruption values within the fabric of our society.
Collaboration across multiple agencies, coupled with exemplary leadership is essential to ensure the success of such initiatives.
Educators play a pivotal role in shaping the moral compass of our youth and any effort to enhance their understanding of corruption and integrate anti-corruption elements into their teaching practices are paramount in cultivating a morally upright and ethically conscious society.
In conclusion, the collective efforts to nurture a generation of individuals guided by principles of integrity and intolerance towards corruption are crucial steps towards realising a corruption-free nation.
By fortifying these initiatives and fostering a culture of integrity from a young age, we pave the way for a brighter and more ethical future for our country and its citizens. - FMT
Mohamad Tarmize Abdul Manaf is the director of MACC’s monitoring and coordination division.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.
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